Winding apparatus



June 30, 1953 w. H. FRANZMANN 2,643,827

l WINDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MANUALINVENTOR.

WILLIAM H. FRANZMANN BY F|G.s m

ATT RNE Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT Noi-Ficii WINDINGAPPARATUS William H. Franzmann, Hamilton, Ohio, assignor to The HamiltonTool Company, Hamilton, Ohio,acorporation of Ohio ,A Application January25, 1951, serial No. 207,817 Claims. (Cl. 242-75) windingl apparatuswhich includes means forV automatically and continuously controlling thetension of the material being wound.

A further object of the invention is to provide a winding apparatushaving the hereinabove described characteristics which includes tensionapplying means engageable with and supported by the web of materialprior to being wound.

Still a further object of the invention is to prol vide a windingapparatus wherein the means for applying tension to the web or webs ofmaterial is adjustable, thereby greatly enhancing the flexibility of thedevice.

Another object of the invention is to provide a winding `device whichincludes a shaft upon which one or more continuous webs of material maybe wound under conditions of substantially uniform tension, wherein thedriving torque applied to the shaft is selectively variable throughmeans actuated by the web tension vfor automatically correlating thetorque to the tension requirements of the web.

Still another `object of the invention is to provide a rewinder devicewhich is portable in the sense that it may be associated with a widevariety of other `devices from which one or more continuous webs aredrawn for -rewinding, thereby greatly enhancing its utility.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a rewinder havingthe hereinabove 'described characteristics and which includes aplurality of guide rollers over which the individual continuous webs ofmaterial are fed after being subjected to the action of tensioning meansand prior to being wound, said guide rollers being inclined relative toone another for effecting uniform lateral spacing of the adjacent edgesof ad- Vjoining rolls of rewound material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a winding apparatuswherein the tension on the web is substantially constant whether thewebv is stationary, is being inched, or is running at any speed. Thisfeature eliminates the likelihood of slack developing in the web when`it is not in motion and eliminates web looseness heretofore encounteredduring start-outs of other 2 f types of rewinding apparatus with which Iam familiar. f Y

These and other objects `are attained by the means described herein andas disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sideelevational view of a winding apparatus embodying the teachings of thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of a slightly modied form of theapparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View,v partly in section, of a detail of thedriving and control mechanism of the device.

With reference now to Fig. 1, the numeral denotes generally a continuousweb of material which it is desired to rewind under conditions ofsubstantially uniform tension.

At the outset it should beunderstood that web It may be drawn from aroll, not illustrated, or it may, by way of example, represent the webdrawn from a rotary printing press, slitter mechanism, combinationrotary press and slitter device, or any other type of device from whicha continuous web, printed or otherwise, is discharged.

Solely by way of example, it will be assumedthat web lil is beingdischarged from a rotary press having associated therewith a pluralityof laterally spaced cutting knives I2 which sever the web into a seriesof strips of lesser width. Three such strips have been denoted by thenumerals I4, I6 and I8.

A rotatable shaft-2c uponwhieh materiau m is to be wound lis suitablyjournaled in spanning' relationship with a pair of similar, laterallyyspaced side or end members 22.

With particular reference nowto Fig. 3, it will be noted that shaft Ztisadapted to be driven by gear 23 secured to and carried by drive shaft 24suitably journaled in boss 26 ofend element 22.

A rotatable armature 3l] is secured to and carried by shaft 24 beingkeyed thereto as at 32. A rotatable iield assembly denoted generally bythe numeral 34 may be rotatably mounted relative to armature 3B andshaft 24 on bearings 3B, the

3 for driving field assembly 314 at a substantially uniform speed. Motor5|! may be suitably secured by bracket 52 to portions of end member 22,thereby disposing drive pulleys 54 in vertical alignment with drivenpulleys 56 of the rotatable eld assembly.

A housing 58 may be utilized to inclose portions of the field assembly,saidhousing being mounted to a bracket 69 secured as at 62 to member 22,as illustrated. g

The present invention is neither directed tonor concerned with theparticular structural details of the electromagnetic clutch arrangementhereinabove described and as more fully illustrated in Fig. 3, saiddevice being commercially available from several manufacturers.

The torque imparted to shaft 24 is a function l of the magnetic couplingeffected between armature 30 and the rotatable field assembly 34. Themagnetic coupling is a function of the field strength of coil 42, whichis a function of the voltage impressed thereon. v

Voltage impressed upon field coil 42 may be supplied through conductors64 and 66, wherein Vconductor 64 is electrically connected to brush E8which engages commutator ring 44.

Conductor B6 is connected to brush 'Hl through a pair of seriesconnected rheostats denoted generally by the numerals 12 and 14 wherebythe voltage delivered to eld coil 42 may be selectively varied. y

With particular reference now to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that adancer roll 18 is supported by web ||l of the material, said dancer rollbeing rotatably mounted between a pair of laterally spaced arms B. Arms88 are pivotally mounted as at 82 to the upper endof side members 22.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, dancer roll 'i8 and arms 80 are shiftablebetween .the fully raised and lowered positions indicated in dottedoutline, the particular position of the dancer arm being determined bythe tension in web ie, it being understood that .the greater the tensionthe greater the elevation of dancer roll 73.

The degree of tension applied to web Hl is a function of the torqueapplied to shaft 2B on which the web of material lil is to be rewound.The torque required to rotate shaft 2i! increases proportionately as thediameter of the roll of material wound thereon increases, wherefore itis necessary to increase the torque delivered to shaft 2G as material iswound thereon.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide simpleyet highly effective means for automatically and simultaneously applyinga predetermined tension to web l0 and of utilizing the tension applyingmeans for controlling the torque output of the shaft driving mechanism.This has been accomplished by providing a segment gear S0 in drivenrelationship with one of arms 80 whereby movement of the arm about axisS2 will result in rotation of the segment gear about the same axis. Apinion gear 92 is secured in driving relationship with shaft 94 ofrheostat 14 whereby oscillation of the dancer roll will result inrotation of shaft 94, thereby actuating arm 96 of the rheostat forautomatically controlling the voltage applied to iield coil 42.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that if it be assumed that thedancer roll be positioned in the uppermost position as indicated in thedotted lines of Fig. l at the start'of a winding operation, wherein thedegree of tension applied to web I0 has been predetermined andcontrolled by means of weights |09 secured to and carried by shaft |2pivotally secured as at |061 to the outer end of one or both of armsSi), any lessening of the torque will result in a lowering of the dancerroll, for a given tension. However, lowering of the dancer roll willresult in actuation of rheostat 'i4 via segment gear-t, pinion 92 andshaft 94 whereby the amount of resistance in the field coil circuit willbe decreased, thereby increasing the voltage applied to the ield coilfor increasing the degree of magnetic coupling effected between therotatable field assembly 3ft and armature l3D. In -this manner thetorque delivered to shaft 213 is correlated to tension requirements ofthe web.

In thepreferred embodiment of the invention sudden movementl of arms 88is precluded by means of a suitable damping assembly, such as, by way ofexample, a shock-absorber |2ii secured as at |22 relative to portion i2@of end member 22. Rod |25 of the shock-absorber may be securedV as at|23 relative to arm 80.

With particular reference now to Figs. l and 2, the numerals i3d, |32and l-Sl denote laterally spaced rollers mounted for rotation about axes|36, |38 and lll, respectively, wherein said axes are relativelyinclined by an amount less than one degree, such as, by way'of example,from .2 to .5 degree. i. f

Preferably axis |353 may be in a substantial horizontal plane, in whichevent axis |3| may be inclined in one direction lwith reference theretowhereas axis Hi8 may beinclined in the opposite direction with referencethereto. l have found that by thus slightly inclining the axes ofrotation of'rollers |30, |32 and iii-t the adjacent edges of theadjoining webs lll, I6 and I8 severed iroin web lil will be uniformlyspaced, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. In this manner I have providedsimple yet highly effective means for providing lateral separation ofadjacent edges of adjoining rolls, thereby obviating any tendency forthe adjacent edges of adjoining rolls to overlap incident to a rewindingoperation. Such overlapping has presented a serious problem to theindustry, particulariy in those instances wherein it has been desirableto simultaneously rewind at high speeds a plurality oi webs insideby-side relationship.

It should be understoodthat if desired axis |36 or |40 may be consideredas the horizontal axis, in which event the other two axes would beinclined relative thereto for effecting the desired separation of theadjacent edges of adjoining rolls of material wound onto shaft 2). Itshould further be noted that although I have illustrated threesuchrolls, |36, |32 and |32, such illustration is exemplary in natu-rerather than restrictive.

With particular reference now to Fig. l, it will be noted that web IB iscaused to pass over a pair of idler rolls denoted generally by thenumerals |50 and |52 for thereby effecting suspension of dancerroller l.In most instances idler rolls |50 and |52 will comprise part of a rotaryprinting press, slitting mechanism, or other suitable device from whichweb EG is drawn for rewinding, however it should be noted that ifdesired, idler rolls |50 and |52 may be secured to and carried by asuitable bracket or brackets, not illustrated, secured to end members,22.

It should be noted that composite web I0, which has been severed intowebs I4, |6 and I8 by slitting knives |2 will be fed over rolls |50, 18,|52

5 and to rolls |30, |32 and |34 with the adjacent edges of adjoiningstrips in substantial abutting relationship. These abutting edges are,however, neatly and uniformly laterally separated after webs lil, B andVI8 have been caused to ,passfover their respective rolls |30, |32 and|34.

With reference Vto Figs. v2 and .3, the numeral |66 denotes the controlvarm of .manually operable rheostat 12,said arm, asclearly illustratedin Fig. 3, being series connected with the resistance element |82 of thepinion driven rheostat lll. The purpose of providing a manually4controllable rheostat 12 in series with the pinion driven rheostat 74is to enable an operator to adjust the manual rheostat, at the start ofa rewinding operation, whereby the desired torque will be delivered byshaft -20 with all of .the resistance of the pinion driven rheostat in.series with eld coil 42. Then, as the tension in web tends to decreaseas the diameter of lthe roll .of rewound material increases about .shaft20 (which .increase in diameter would, but for the actuation of thepinion driven rheostat 1'4, result in a 'decrease in the torque appliedto 'shaft 20), the resultant lowering of dancer roll 18 effects anautomatic actuation of rheostat 14 for increasing the voltage in field42, thereby increasing the torque delivered through .the electromagneticclutch assembly to shaft 20.

It will be noted that the tension Vapplied to the web, or webs ofmaterial by the dancer roll 'will be constant throughout all positionsof the dancer roll assembly. The reason that the dancer .roll assemblywill slowly and gradually shift from 'the uppermost `to the lowermostpositions .indicated in dotted outline of Fig. 1 is not vbecause of achange of the tension in web ||J, but 'for the following reason, viz.,as the diameter of the roll of material being wound'upon'sh'aft 2.0increases, more torque is required to rotate the shaft. Since thetension applied to the web of material by the dancer roll assembly isconstant, .any decrease in torque will result in a lessening of the pullon the web with a corresponding lowering of the dancer roll assemblywhich as has hereinabove been fully explained Ais utilized to increasethe torque delivered by the electromagnetic clutch to shaft 2G.

The dancer roll assembly will not be elevated to its original fullylelevated position incident to the application of a greater turningtorque to shaft 2E! incident to control ofthe voltage chai'- acteristicsof field 42 of the vfield assembly by reason of actuation of the piniondriven rheostat lll, incident to lowering `of the dancer roll assembly,since to elevate the dancer rolliassembly to its initial position wouldrequire the application of a torque in excess of that required tomaintain the desired tension in web l0. Therefore, the dancer rollassembly will gradually be lowered from an upper to a lower position,while maintaining a uniform load or tension on web l0.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the zone of travel of thedancer roll assembly is from l5 degrees above to 15 degrees below ahorizontal axis at right angles with axis 82.

By reason of the electromagnetic clutch drive I am able to interrupt thefeeding of web or websV v interrupted, armature 13|) will be stopped byreato which it was subjected while :in motion. Re-

'lease fof `.web |11 for permitting yit :to Vbe .fed onto .shaft L20will vresult vin fthe 'immediate .rotation 4of .armature 30 whereby theformation of a slack condition in 'web In will .bepositively precluded.

with reference now to Figs. .1 and .2, .it win f be noted that .theoppositeends of fshaft 20 :are

received 'within suitable journals `:provided in end `members 2.2, `saidjournals preferably including -a shaft block rpivoted as at .|92relative 'to :the supporting frame for facilitating quick, easy mounting.and demounting Yof shaft `2|). .In yactual Vvpractice, lseveralshafts', Yeach including a pinion 1| 8'8 fengag'eable with vdrive gear'23, .may be `utilized `in order that: one :shaft may be Loperati-velykassociated with vvthe rewinder .during those periods oftime when thevroll or Vrolls of material previously wound vmay `be removed from Valpriorshaftl 'To remove La .shaft `all `an :operator need 'do is towithdraw block pin v|94 for permitting -the shaft blocks |90 .to beswung outwardly for .releasing the shaft ends from the journals inVwhich they were rotatably secured. Anothershaft may then 'bemountedbyclosing `blocks |93 whereupon the machine is vagain ready foruse.

vIt should be understood that the rolls of material mounted upon shaft20 are actually 'supported thereon by vtapered end lplugs vwhich engagethe shaft, as well known in the industry.

From the foregoing, Vit will be noted that 'I have thus provided asimple, yet highly 'effective means for applying uniform tension to aweb or webs of material being Wound upon a rotatable shaft driventhrough an electromagnetic clutch assembly, wherein the output of thedriveassemlbly is controlled =by the tension applying means.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications in thestructural details of the device .may be made #within the'scope o'f theappended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

W hat is vclaimed is:

1. In a rewinding apparatus, the combination of' rotatable means uponwhich a plurality of laterally spaced rolls of VVmaterial are adapted tobe wound,'means for driving-said rotatable means including anelectromagnetic clutch, 'means for rotatably mounting a roll of materialto be slit and -revi/ound,` means for slitting'the material intocontinuous strips of lesser width, means for simultaneously applying apredetermined tension to said strips comprising a mem-ber extendingacross and suspended from said strips, vmeans for utilizing movement ofsaid member for varying the magnetization of said clutch, and aplurality of idler rollers, one for each strip of material, over which astrip passes prior to being Wound onto said rotatable means, wherein theaxis of rotation of each of said rollers is inclined relative to theother for effecting uniform lateral separation of adjacent edges ofadjoining strips wound on said rotatable means. Y

2. In a rewinding apparatus, the combination of a frame including a pairof laterally spaced end members, a shaft upon which a continuous web ofmaterial of substantial width is adapted passes, means for feeding thematerial to be rewound from said idler roll under said dancer roll andin supporting relationship therewith, a second idler roll over which theweb passes from the `dancer roll and thence to said shaft, saiddancerroll applying a predetermined tension to the material, and meansactuated by movement of said dancer roll for varying the magnetizationof said clutch for maintaining the desired tension on the material beingrewound at all speeds and when stationary. l

3. In a .rewinding apparatus for a plurality or continuous stripssevered from a continuous strip of greater width, the combination of arotatable shaft upon which the individual strips are Wound in laterallylspaced individual rolls, means including an independently driven,continuously operable electromagnetic clutch for driving said shaft,means for simultaneously applying a predetermined tension to theindividual strips including a dancer roll spanning and suspended fromsaid strips, means for utilizing elevational changes of the dancer rollfor varying the degree of magnetization of said clutch for varying thetorque applied to said shaft, and a plurality of freely rotatable idlerrollers, one for each strip of material, over which a strip passes priorto being wound onto said shaft, the axis of rotation of each of saidrollers being inclined relative to theothers for effecting uniform lat-`eral separation of the adjacent edges of adjoining strips wound on saidshaft.

4. In arewinding apparatus, the combination of a frame including a pairof laterally spaced end members, a shaft upon which a plurality oflaterally spaced rolls of material are adapted to be wound, means forsecurely though releasably mounting said shaft in spanning rotatablerelationship with said end members, means including an independentlydriven continuously operable electromagnetic clutch for driving saidshaft, means for rotatably mounting a roll of material to be slit andrewound, means for slitting the material into continuous strips oflesser Width, a dancer roll assembly pivotally mounted in spacedspanning relationship relative to said end members, meansior feeding thecontinuous strips severed from the web of material being reWound undersaid Vdancer roll and in supporting relationship therewith and thence tosaid shaft,

said dancer roll simultaneously applying a pre determined tension tosaid strips, and means ac tuated by movementof the dancer roll forvarying the magnetization of the clutch, a plurality of rollers one foreach strip of material over which the strip passes prior to being Woundonto the shaft upon which the material is rewound, said rollers beingrotatably mounted in spanning relationship with said end members abovethe shaft upon which the material is rewound, the axis of one of saidrollers being in substantial parallelism with the axis of said shaft,and the axes of the other rollers being inclined in opposite directionsby less than one degree relative to the axis of said iirst roller and toone another for providing lateral separation of adjacent edges ofadjoining continuous strips severed from the roll of material beingrewound.

5. A rewinding apparatus comprising the combination of a frame, a shaft'rotatable in said frame upon which a continuous web of material ofsubstantial width is adapted to be wound, shaft rotating meanscomprising an electromagnetic clutch including a rotatable armaturemechanically coupled to said shaft and a rotatable eld assembly, meansfor independently and continuously driving the iield assembly at asubstantially constant rate, a source of voltage for the iield of saidfield assembly for effecting a magnetic coupling between the rotatablefield assembly and armature, a rheostat in the circuit or said llield, apair or" arms pivotally secured to frame, a dancer roll spanning androtatably mounted between said arms, an idler roll over which the webpasses, means for feeding the material to be rewound from said idlerroll under said dancer roll and in supporting relation therewith, asecond idler roll over which the Web passes from the dancer roll andthence to said shaft, said dancer roll applying a predetermined tensionto the material, and means actuated by movement of said arms relative tothe frame for actuating said rheostat for Varying magnetization of saidclutch for maintaining the desired tension on the material being rewoundat all speeds and when stationary.l

WILLIAM H. FRANZMANN.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,340,981 Reinhardt et al. May 25, 1920 1,819,989 Stevens Aug.18, 1931 2,237,112 Parvin Apr. 1, 1941 2,317,290 Mclvried Apr. 20, 19432,365,691 Fodor Dec. 26, 1944

